It was well known that the old chief was able, at a word, to send every warrior from Pennacook to Naumkeag upon the war-path of Miantonimo; the vengeful character of the Indians was also understood; and, in the event of an out-breaking of their resentment, the settlement of Pentucket was, of all others, the most exposed to danger.
"Don't go to neighbor Clements's to-night, Mary," said Alice Ward to her young, unmarried sister; "I'm afraid some of the tawny Indians may be lurking hereabout.

Mr.Ward says he thinks they will be dangerous neighbors for us." Mary had thrown her shawl over her head, and was just stepping out.
"It is but a step, as it were, and I promised good-wife Clements that I would certainly come.

I am not afraid of the Indians.

There's none of them about here except Red Sam, who wanted to buy me of Mr.Ward for his squaw; and I shall not be afraid of my old spark." The girl tripped lightly from the threshold towards the dwelling of her neighbor.

She had passed nearly half the distance when the pathway, before open to the moonlight, began to wind along the margin of the river, overhung with young sycamores and hemlocks.